Dr. John Nagl, Minerva Professor at the U.S. Naval Academy and retired Army officer
"Former Marine and Dartmouth President Jim Wright has written a concise military history of the United States with a focus on the veterans of our wars. It is empathetic, informed by his personal knowledge of the sacrifices and joys of military service, and deeply compelling. I know of no more ambitious work on how our nation cares for those who have borne the burden of her battles, nor one that achieves its goals so well. In this time of too many wars, it should be read by every American."
Richard H. Kohn, Professor Emeritus of History and Peace, War, and Defense, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Chief of Air Force History for the USAF, 1981-1991
"In this unflinchingly honest portrait of the American military experience, James Wright explains how our recent wars have differed from those of earlier times. Informed by a tour in the Marines, a lifetime devoted to educating the country’s youth, and more recently, repeated visits to wounded vets, this important book talks sense to the American people about our wars and their consequences. Engaging, wise, and filled with keen insights for all Americans, their military and political leaders in particular."
Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
"Finally – a comprehensive book chronicling the journey of the American veteran. From the camps of Valley Forge to the beachfronts of Normandy to the sands of Iraq, James Wright weaves together a full history that is both engaging and alive. Some were citizen soldiers. Some were draftees. Some were volunteers. But they all served their country when called upon. Wright’s book is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the wars and warriors of our past – and perhaps the wars and warriors of our future."
Kirkus Reviews
“A thoughtful account of how America treats its soldiers…An astute view of America’s enthusiastic but often-unrealistic attitude toward those who fight its wars."
New York Times Book Review
“The familiar narrative of the American military experience traces the long, occasionally glorious, always bloody monarchy from Lexington and Concord to Iraq and Afghanistan. Those Who Have Borne the Battle amends that account by adding two subjects of acute contemporary relevance: how the United States has raised the forces with which it wages war; and how, in the aftermath of battle, it cares for and remembers those who fought.”
Military Times
“Eloquent and evocative.”
The VVA Veteran
“Offering much more than a dry retelling of America’s wars, Wright’s book allows readers to follow the evolution of important trends in American warfare and to easily pick up and trace the author’s line of reasoning."
TIME Magazine
“A must in any American military buff’s library.”
Despite the title this is not a battle history but a thoughtful account of how America treats its soldiers. From the time of the Revolution, Americans have eulogized our fallen warriors. Sadly, lauding those who die for their country is easier than supporting the survivors, and many still argue that defending America is every citizen's duty to be carried out with no thought of reward. This opinion was never unanimous, but it was not until 1818 that Congress approved pensions for needy but nondisabled veterans. Pensions for Union veterans followed the Civil War, an expensive proposition. During the 1920s, with many Civil War survivors still collecting, veterans received nearly 20 percent of the federal budget. World War II marked the last gasp of the citizen-soldier myth. One result was the last New Deal entitlement program--the GI Bill of rights, which provided massive educational, medical, unemployment and loan benefits. By 1950 it was the largest entitlement program in history (Social Security eventually surpassed it). Since then Congress has expanded it, and no Republican dares call it socialism. Ironically, the other result is that, as our all-volunteer soldiers grew less representative of the average citizen with the draft's end in 1973, Americans have come to revere them as the defenders of freedom. The downside is that Congress (20-percent veteran compared to 80 in 1975) tends to exert less authority over the military and acquiesce in our presidents' increasingly aggressive use of force until long after it's clear that matters are not going well. An astute view of America's enthusiastic but often-unrealistic attitude toward those who fight its wars.